July 21 through August 7, 2016 the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum will host three traveling exhibits: Master Leatherworks from the private collection of Jim Linnell, Marketing Director at Tandy Leather, Ft. Worth, TX; Metal Sculptures by Deb Pearce, award winning metal artist of Spooner, WI; and the Kaleidoscope Quilts of Linda Long, hand-quilting artist from Brock, OK. These three artists will be available on Saturday, July 30 to meet with the public. Deb Pearce will also be available July 28 through August 2, 10am to 5pm by appointment. (The Museum is open Monday-Wednesday by appointment.)

Jim Linnell’s extensive leather collection reflects the history of leather work during the 20th Century and features items made for the stars as well as everyday folk. An award-winning Master Leatherworker and instructor himself, Jim’s passion for the art of leatherworking shows in this excellent collection! Jim’s first taste of stamping was a Tandy Leather wallet at age 8. Eventually this turned into his dream job, Director of Marketing at Tandy Leather. Almost single-handedly he has brought leather craft to many thousands of students, some now master artisans in their own right.

Deb Pearce is a different kind of sculptor as her medium is not malleable bronze but requires torches, grinders, hammers, tools of a welder. She worked alongside her father in his welding business from age 8. In 1983 she won the National 4-H Congress Overall Achievement Award. As an adult, she concentrated her efforts on building a successful Sign Business. In the summer of 2015 she found her art expanding and becoming something better than even she had dreamed. Although she had been away from shows or any sort of competitions for over 30 years, she entered into the Red Bluff Art Show in California taking home Best Overall Sculpture as well as the People’s Choice Awards! Her recent professional list of accomplishments is almost as impressive as are her unique sculptures. Deb will be at the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum July 28 through August 2, 2016 ONLY!

Linda Long has been quilting since the 1970s. As one of the few remaining quilters who works entirely by hand (no sewing machine is involved) she is truly a historical treasure! Her kaleidoscope quilts are original designs and Linda uses any scrap of fabric she can make fit! Some of her quilts have over 1,500 pieces in them. Each piece is hand cut for its fabric pattern to fit a specific spot. And each quilt may take up to 30 days to construct. She has lived in Brock, Oklahoma on and off since birth.

For further information, to request photos, to schedule a private showing or an interview, please contact geneautryoklahomamusem@ gmail.com.

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This is the Official Website of the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum! We hope you come see us in person real soon but in the meantime, you can learn a bit about us and see a sampling of what we’re all about right here!Safe Travels!

Press Release — For Immediate Release

March 28, 2016

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8, 2016 and is a time to stop and honor our Mothers. What better way to make Mom happy than to spend the Saturday before doing what Mom’s love best—with their families treasure hunting, shopping, eating, and reminiscing while having fun family-time? Guy’s you’ll be a HERO if you pile the whole family in the car and bring Mom out to the Gene Autry Community Wide Garage Sale & Cowboy Bazaar! And it’s Free!

Saturday, May 7, 2016, 8am-7pm, the Town of Gene Autry in conjunction with the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum is holding a Community Wide Garage Sale & Cowboy Bazaar on the municipal grounds in Gene Autry, OK (47 Prairie Street, Gene Autry, OK 73436).

Area residents are invited to bring their gently used garage/yard sale items to sell. Individuals Must call ahead and reserve a FREE space in order to sell. Sellers are responsible for set-up and takedown including removing unsold items and trash. Local Churches are being invited to set up a carnival-style booth for fundraising with the option of their booth being traditional bake-sale items, tests-of-skill, or crafts by church members. And, crafters and select retail vendors will also have booths ($25 per space; no tables, chairs or electrical). No such event would be complete without Food Concessions so of course there will be food vendors as well. Contact Leslei Fisher, 580–768–5558 (call or text), geneautryoklahomamuseum@gmail.com before Wednesday April 20th, 2016 to reserve space. “Booth” packets including details, rules, and regulations will be provided. Spaces will be allotted on a “first come, first serve” basis.

This is a CASH ONLY Event. Parking is Free and there is no admission charge either. The Community Wide Garage Sale & Cowboy Bazaar is a community-service project of the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum and the Town of Gene Autry. It is our way of saying “Thank You” to our community for all your support!

The mission of the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum is to nourish the history and timeless culture of the Cowboy in Entertainment, as exemplified by Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and others, for the enjoyment and education of all generations. The Museum houses the world’s largest collection of vintage Cowboys in Entertainment memorabilia from the 1920s to present day (emphasis is on Gene Autry and the “singing cowboys”). Visitors learn about the Cowboy Way of Life, enjoy past memories while creating new ones, and learn a bit about what was Berwyn, Oklahoma, now the Town of Gene Autry. Admission is by donation. Currently, the Museum is supported solely by donations. Group/Private Tours welcome! Please phone 580­.768­.5559 to schedule in advance.

The Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization wholly owned by the Gene Autry Historical Society. The Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum’s mission is to nourish the preservation of local history and timeless culture of the Cowboys in Entertainment, for the enjoyment and education of all generations.